Nafplio Beaches

Karathona

The closest beach to get somewhat excited about is Karathona which is a 10 minute drive from Nafplion. There are sunbeds and umbrellas but plenty of free space if you don't want to pay the rent. It is a shallow sandy beach suitable for children and it can get busy in the summer, especially on weekends. But like most beaches if you come early, around 10, or late, around 6 you can have a few hours of relative peace. There are beach bars and tavernas and lots of cars and buses. If you come in the off-season (which I recommend since Nafplion and the Argolis are really hot in the summer) it will most likely be nice enough to swim and you may have the whole place to yourself.

Psili Ammos, Tolo

Tolo is one of the oldest resort towns in the Peloponese due to its long sandy beach, one of the best in Greece at one time. It is still a nice beach but the hotels and town, which is almost like a city, take up much of it. There are areas with sunbeds and without, and the numerous hotels mean that the beach is busy much of the summer and busier on the weekends when the locals come with their families. There are watersports, restaurants, cafes, shops and everything you would find in an established tourist town. It is about a 20 minute drive from Nafplion and there is also a KTEL Bus that goes every hour or so. Here's the schedule. So you can easily stay in Nafplion and visit Tolo or you can stay in Tolo and visit Nafplion if you are more of a beach person. See Robert Bruce's Guide to Tolo

Romvi Sicret, Tolo

This small beach on an uninhabited island in the bay of Tolo can be reached by excursion boat from Nafplion or from Tolo. Though more secluded than Psili Ammos, it is smaller and in the summer it can be busy. There is a cafe but not much else in the way of amenities. But if you just want to swim or snorkel in crystal clear waters, lay on the beach, or explore the medieval fortifications that are scattered around the island this would be a good way to spend the day. There is not much in the way of shade so you may want to bring your own.

Asini Beach

The Archaeological site of Ancient Asini, made famous by the Greek poet George Serferis, are on a hill between two beaches, one a long sand and pebble open beach and the other a small cove. Both can be reached on foot from Tolon and by car or KTEL Bus from Nafplion. There is a campground here and also hotels and rooms for rent, a couple beach bars and a taverna or two. See Matt's Assini Page

Asini Small Beach

This small beach has beach beds and umbrellas and a taverna overlooking the beach. If you are coming from Tolo or Nafplion this is the first beach you will see. To get to the long beach just continue on the road below the fortress.

Kantia Beach

This long sand and pebble beach has beach beds and umbrellas for rent, cafes, restaurants, and even a hotel or two. Though not offically a nudist beach since the designation does not exist in Greece, you can get far enough away from people so that nobody will know what you are wearing. But don't be surprised if you go for a swim and there is an entire family between you and your towel and swimming trunks. There are several other beaches in the area including Paralia Kondyli, and Paralia Iria which are further east.

Paralio Astros

To travel from Nafplio to Astros, you can drive, take a taxi, or use a combination of bus and taxi. The easiest way is by car, which takes about 40 minutes. A taxi ride from Nafplio to Paralio Astros is estimated to cost 30 euros, though keep in mind you will need to get back too. You can take a bus from Nafplio to Argos, and then another bus from Argos to Astros, which takes about 3 hours so realistically the only way to go this far is if you have a rental car unless you plan to spend a night or two. See Matt's Astros Page

Arvanitia Beach, Nafplion

This small pebble beach is the easiest to get to and the closest to Nafplion. In fact you can walk to it just by going up Polizoudou Street from the park, or from the other side by walking along the coast below Akronafplion and the Nafplion Palace Hotel. (If you are facing the sea walk to your left and keep going and you will get there eventually. You can also drive but not this way. There is a very nice beach bar that rents umbrellas and beach beds. There is also a path that continues along the coast past two beaches, Paralia Neraki and Mikro Paralia and ends up at Paralia Karathona. It will take you about an hour to get there but it is a very scenic walk.